Christian leader calls for an end to “misuse of blasphemy law” against minorities

Former member of Sindh Assembly Saleem Khursheed Khokhar, who hails from Pakistan’s Christian community, has demanded for an end to the misuse of blasphemy law especially against the religious minorities. Saleem Khursheed Khokhar in a statement has stated that the religious minorities are feeling insecure as a result of the growing incidents of misuse of blasphemy law against innocent people.

Ex- MPA Saleem who has also held the position of the Chairman Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs Sindh Assembly in a statement said that the JIT report which was established after the lynching of Mashal Khan found the victim innocent. He maintained that although Mashal Khan was innocent and not guilty of committing blasphemy, yet he faced an extra judicial punishment on charges of blasphemy.

He said that it saddens him that the blasphemy law is being used as weapon in order to settle personal disputes. He went on to say that the religious minorities including Christians, Hindus and Ahmadis are living in fear as a result of the misuse of the blasphemy law. He said that the religious minorities feel insure as they are being increasingly victimized by the misuse of the blasphemy law.

Saleem Khursheed Khokhar urged the Government of Pakistan to take efficacious steps in order to stop the prevalent misuse of blasphemy law against innocent people. He maintained that the government is responsible to stop the loss of lives as a result of exploitation of blasphemy law.

He demanded that the facts compiled by the JIT in Mashal Khan’s murder must be made public and that the culprits must be hooked. He demanded that the culprits of misusing blasphemy law against Asia Bibi, Sawan Masih, Pervez Akhtar Sahotra and others must also be hooked so the prevalent scourge may be curtailed.